Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll antique schoolhouse All pretty minor

All pretty minor

I think it seems both quintessentially early 1980s and also timeless

disappointment

that this drawing dates to the mid- to late 19th century

4 3/8" long x 3" across

Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll antique schoolhouse All pretty minorThis little woman, carved of bone, fits easily in the palm of ones hand, and folds up to be even tinier. I find things like this just amazing, including the beautifully detailed carving of her hair and face, enhanced with black and red pigment. I have found a few antique Japanese dolls like this that were acrobats, suspended from an armature which they could be flipped over and around, but I believe this one was just made as a tiny doll just as is.